US President Donald Trump is mulling cutting off all military aid to Pakistan because ‘Washington is being ripped off by Islamabad’, claims a Foreign Policy report.

As Trump reviewed an array of options for a strategy on Afghanistan with his top national security aides at Camp David, he made no decision on whether he would commit more troops to America’s longest war. Committing more troops would also significantly affect the United State’s relationship with Pakistan.

The FP report quoted a White House official as saying that “the President thinks we’re being ripped off by Pakistan. The president wants to cut off all military aid to Pakistan. That’s part of the strategy”.

The official further said that the Department of Defence view Pakistan and the United State’s relationship as ‘troubled’.

During the discussions at Camp David, there were differences of opinion over taking a harder line on Pakistan for failing to close Afghan Taliban sanctuaries and arrest Afghan extremist leaders. US officials say the Afghan Taliban are supported by elements of Pakistan’s military and top intelligence agency, a charge Islamabad denies.

Pentagon has already frozen support to Islamabad under the coalition support fund, which provides Pakistan with payments to finance counter-terrorism operations. Mattis claims he could not find evidence that Pakistan had taken enough action against the Haqqani network.

Amid relentless criticism of Pakistan from the Trump administration, army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has told a top US military commander that Pakistan doesn’t need aid, all it wants is acknowledgement of its efforts in the fight against terrorism.

“More than financial or material assistance, we seek acknowledgement of our decades-long contributions towards regional peace and stability, understanding of our challenges and most importantly the sacrifices the Pakistani nation and its security forces have rendered in [the] fight against terrorism and militancy,” he told Centcom chief General Joseph L Votel during a meeting at the GHQ on Friday.

Pakistan argues that it has done a great deal to help the US in tracking down terrorists and points out that it has suffered hundreds of deaths in militant attacks in response to its crackdowns.

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Reader Comments (27)

Pakistans army and government should stop playing good terrorist and bad terrorist. we are being isolated in world. we need to think about it seriously so that other countries can appreciate us.Recommend

Why is America so interested in Afghanistan…???, American friendship with Pakistan has been always conditional…Gen. Bajwa has already said that we don’t need American aid, Keep your aid with yourself, Mr. Trump you are in deep trouble yourself consentrate on saving your stay in White House.Recommend

Pakistan has lost more than 50000 souls in this fight to stop terrorism… The country has without fail done a great job in curtailing this menace at all fronts!! This is not being recognized by the US think tank. There is a failure in assessment of the ground realities, and therefore the proposed strategy in Afghanistan is flawed.

Pakistan is an important stakeholder and without a comprehensive and inclusive plan, which must involve all countries concerned, there will be no end to this madness!

It seems the agenda is to not end war and mayhem in Afghanistan and beyond.Recommend

US is sitting in Indian lap. Thats more than enough news. Its good that US shows its real face rather than hypocritoc face. Pak must choose what is in its own interest. No body can dare to damage Pakistan anyway Pak did not built nukes for biryanis.
Pak must have an independent policy. Pak must not mess in US wars. Its non of our business. If anyone mess with us them we know how to respond keep good relations with all and keep moving with your own pride n power..Recommend

Do it!!! What more can you do than befriending India at our cost. Lets get it done and over with. We already are wedded to someone else. Do it and then see what a thorn we will become. If you can be treacherous we can match it.Recommend

Pakistan had been used by USA for its interests, to support the jehadi movement against Soviet Union. fighters, from all over Muslims countries, came to rescue Afghanistan, from Russia, and USA called them as their ally, supported them. After disintegration of USSR(main aim of USA) USA didn’t make plan to integrate these people into main stream and left Pakistan alone. After 9/11, they (fighters) turned as Terrorists.
Now USA is in need of India, to contain China and after fulfilling its interest, India will be left like Pakistan.
In Pakistan, we need to make our institutions strong to stand against any individual desire. We must concentrate on economy: hence fight against corruption and corrupt mafia, should be our goal. Recommend

As I have been saying for years that the Yanks only use people until their needs are fulfilled and they have done so over soooooo many years country by country and Britain will be another pawn for them even though they say it’s their close allies but the Yanks have lied and are lying to convince the world as usual they’ve started wars but not won any and formed puppet to do their dirty work and pakistan is the latest casualty. No one can defeat the proud Afghan tribes and America is no different to others who have tried.it will be good when they pull out of Pakistan and let us run our own affairs rather than USA dictating. Go on get out and poke your aid where the sun don’t shineRecommend

Nothing can be more good than this by cutting all of your aids. Because, by the name of aids America “used and abused” Pakistan. I do not want to go in history. But we all know they have a vested interest in this area but to put their failure in Afg under the carpet now they are using such pressurizing tactics anyways!

Btw these aids only reach to elite pockets so better to cut it rather than repeating your mantra now and then we are giving you aid and you are not killing your self enough!!!. Recommend

@Faisal, Are you really unaware of the action being taken in Pakistan against terrorists despite posting on Pakistani news reports ? If your media in India thinks that certain name like Hafiz Saeed etc are terrorists then it does not justify pursuing them for Pakistan. He is tried in Pakistani courts and reprimanded based on OUR court judgments. In Pakistan we do know through our media that Modi is a terrorist and orchestrated a blood bath in Gujrat ? Does it mean that Indian Generals are playing double game by killing Ajmal Kasab whereas harboring the ‘Good Terrorist’ ? Recommend

During all US governments, Pakistan has been repeatedly kicked in its butt. But Pakistani political leaders haven’t got tired nor felt embarrassed. In fact, they continue to shake their tails, in obedience, like a tamed pet. Our leaders favourite statement is, ‘Pakistan wants to work amicably with the US government’. The embarrassing response of the US govt follows. And it continues. Pakistan will either have to fall on its knees and elbows and completely accept the US directives or have the spine to have a strong foreign policy, which is less humiliating.Recommend

Good… stop all military aid …and Pakistan should immediately stop Free Port and Free Passage facilities including Free Air Corridor Passage over Pakistan Air Space to USA and its new illegitimate child Hindus–tan… to transport and supply Military equipment, Food, Luxury Items, Tanks, Armored Vehicles, Misc Accessories and daily living items to USA troops and its patsies in Afghanistan must know including USA that Pakistan also cannot provide any FREE LUNCHES to USA anymore which were and are being provided since 2001; USA can use Iran air space corridor and Chahbahar port for free to transport everything to Afghanistan … as Iran is loving brother of Hindus—tan; USA please stop all military aid to Pakistan ‘now’; and sleep with your new child Hindus–tan… and start reading history lessons of Afghanistan and its demeanor to occupiers; Recommend

Pakistan was compelled by circumstances to opt for US aid in 1950’s but not this time.Now Pakistan is its better version and should put its own resources in use to energize itself.This ‘cancerous’ aid has so far halted the country’s resort to discover itself. But my comment is valid only in Pakistanis develop enough conscious to vote the appropriate party in 2018 election, not the two existing empires,please,no offense. Recommend